In the opinion expressed in Sztuka: «the deed was accomplished mainly thanks to the systematic work of the Presidium of the Nationwide Party-Affiliated Artists Team and the support of the National Culture Council»[32]. The official communication of the Polish Press Agency included a description of the plans for the Centre: «The castle is to host: an information and documentation centre of contemporary art, a permanent gallery of Polish Folk Art created on the basis of the assets of the National Museum, as well as a presentation studio for the most outstanding current achievements in fine arts and other types of art created domestically or abroad. The Centre for Contemporary Art will also be a place of elaborating new methods for propagating and popularizing contemporary Polish art, creating opportunities for broader public participation, and in particular the participation of youth in the current artistic life and in taking advantage of its achievements»[33]. Franciszek Kuduk noted in his text in Sztuka that: «the Centre for Contemporary Art is inaugurating its activities in a completely different situation within the artistic community. The foundation of a number of associations and unions has initiated a process – difficult to say how long it will last - of revealing and establishing the differences in the needs and aspirations of the separate art disciplines. The task to provide artists with forms of activities which would not be limited to the framework of associations or
unions seems to be the undisputable duty of the Centre in the given situation»[34]. Getting the institution started dragged on. It was not until November 1984 that the Minister appointed the Programme Council of the Centre for Contemporary Art. The body was headed by Mieczysław Wejman, a graphic artist managing the newly established Association of Polish Painters and Graphic Artists[35]. The Council was mainly composed of representatives of the new associations. The inaugural meeting took place at the Royal Castle. The celebration was attended by Waldemar Świrgoń (secretary of the Party’s Central Committee), as well as Minister Kazimierz Żygulski himself who «informed the assembly about the opening of the Centre of Documentation of Contemporary Art at Ujazdowski Castle which is to take place in a few months»[36]. When speaking about the future work of the Centre, the minister said that: «It should be of an interdisciplinary character, and should also integrate the artistic community». Mieczysław Wejman, on the other hand, concluded his speech saying: «In ending, I would like to express my thanks for bestowing on me the function of chairing the Council. I accept it as a representative of the artistic community: though perhaps only a part of it, but the part that believes in creating values by being active – values exemplified by the centre»[37].
Karol Sienkiewicz «Without the Proverbial Pomp and Circumstance»
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